• V L Baughman, C E Laurito, and W V Polek.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Humana Hospital-Michael Reese, Chicago, IL 60616.
• J Clin Anesth. 1992 Jul 1; 4 (4): 325-7.

Study ObjectiveTo determine whether, following aerosolization of lidocaine for topical airway anesthesia, intravenous (IV) lidocaine produces toxic lidocaine blood concentrations.DesignRandomized, double-blind study.SettingUniversity-affiliated hospital.PatientsForty healthy patients scheduled for outpatient surgery.InterventionsThe patients received in a randomized, double-blind manner aerosolized lidocaine or placebo followed 10 minutes later by IV lidocaine or placebo.Measurements And Main ResultsAfter completion of lidocaine or placebo aerosolization and 2 minutes following IV administration of either lidocaine or the placebo, venous blood samples were obtained. Lidocaine concentration was measured using a homogenous enzyme assay. The group receiving both aerosolized and IV placebo and the group receiving aerosolized lidocaine and an IV placebo had undetectable (less than 0.05 micrograms/ml) serum lidocaine levels. The groups that received either an aerosolized placebo or aerosolized lidocaine and IV lidocaine had similar serum lidocaine concentrations [3.34 +/- 0.46 vs. 3.24 +/- 0.55 micrograms/ml (mean +/- SEM); p greater than 0.05 by Mann-Whitney U test].ConclusionIV lidocaine can be safely administered following aerosolization of lidocaine in spontaneously breathing patients without producing toxic blood lidocaine concentrations.

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